Tomato plants are susceptible to a wide range of pests and diseases that can wreak havoc on your garden. A lot of people ask, “What is the best insecticide for tomato plants?” The answer is actually pretty complicated depending on the part of the plant you’re trying to treat, as well as where you live. This article will cover some of the best options for both organic and non-organic gardeners. You have to know what it takes to get the best product. From choosing the seller to comparing their price, quality, color and size. It’s important that you don’t go with just any tomato pests control product; make sure you read reviews. This guide talks about natural pest control for tomato plants to get rid of pests naturally.
Natural Pest Control For Tomato Plants
Over the years, we have had a great deal of success getting rid of pests in our garden. We have tried all sorts of things, some worked better than others and some didn’t work at all. Here are the best ideas for keeping the pests away and helping your tomatoes thrive!
- Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that suck the juice from leaves and stems. They appear as green or black spots on plants and can cause permanent damage if left untreated. Aphids are most active in the spring and fall when temperatures are cool. Most insecticides kill aphids immediately, but some treatments take longer to work than others; check with your local garden center for recommendations on what options might be best for your situation
Tomato Hornworm
Tomato hornworms are the larvae of a type of moth. They are green caterpillars with white stripes and a horn on their tail. The eggs of this pest are laid in clusters on tomato plants, where they can hatch within 2-3 days if conditions are right. These pests feed on leaves and fruit of tomato plants, but they can also survive on other plants such as lettuce or broccoli. You may not see them until it is too late to save your plant!
Hornworms will continue to grow until they reach maturity at 2 inches long, which takes about 1 month depending on temperature, humidity, etc..
Pick them off by hand.
The first option is to pick off the tomato hornworms by hand. The easiest way to do this is using gloves, as their spines can be very irritating. Wearing a mask will also help prevent inhaling any of the hornworm’s feces, which can be harmful if swallowed or come into contact with your eyes or mouth. When you’ve collected all of them, place them in a bucket of soapy water and allow them to drown overnight before throwing them away in the morning.
Spray with an insecticide containing spinosad
Spinosad is a naturally occurring substance made by the bacterium Saccharopolyspora spinosa, which was discovered in an abandoned rum distillery in 1982. Spinosad is derived from the bacterium and acts on insects’ nervous systems, paralyzing them before they can feed. The insecticide has been approved for use in organic farming since 2004, but it’s also effective against many types of pests that aren’t part of an organic farmer’s repertoire—like tomato hornworms and squash bugs.
To spray your plants with spinosad, mix 1 tablespoon per 1 gallon of water and apply to affected areas once every two weeks during peak season (the first week of June through mid-August).
Use a floating row cover.
Floating row covers are a very efficient way to keep out pests. They can be used for many different crops, including tomatoes, and can also be used to protect your plants from wind damage and extend the growing season by several weeks. The main benefit of floating row covers is that they do not require any maintenance. However, they do need to be removed periodically so that you can check on your plants’ progress and make sure they have enough water.
Plant marigolds in your garden to reduce pests.
- Marigolds are a great way to keep pests away.
- They also have anti-fungal properties.
- They are a natural pest control.
- Marigolds have bright flowers that attract beneficial insects, such as bees and ladybugs, which help to pollinate your tomato plants and keep them healthy. Marigolds repel nematodes as well, so they’re perfect for growing in your garden if you’ve had problems with these pests in the past!
Insecticidal soap (only use if needed)
Insecticidal soap is a great option for plants with no pest problems. It’s important to note that insecticidal soap does not have a residual effect, so it does not last long. Insecticidal soap is also not a magic bullet; it’s just one tool in your arsenal against pests.
To use insecticidal soap:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with 2 cups of water in a pump sprayer or other container.
- Spray the plant thoroughly on both sides and especially any areas where insects may be hiding such as under leaves or along stems.
Aphids
Aphids can be a problem for tomato plants. They are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of plants and cause damage to the leaves, or stems of your plants. Most aphids are green in color with a round or pear shaped body. You may see clusters of them on tomato vines, as well as other garden plants including pumpkins and squash.
Some aphids are actually beneficial because they help pollinate flowers, but most types feed on plant juices causing distorted growth and yellowing leaves which eventually fall off prematurely. Aphids also carry viruses which are harmful to tomatoes so if you have an infestation it is best to get rid of them immediately before they spread disease throughout your garden!
Here’s what you can do: If you notice some aphids starting to appear on your tomato plant try removing any yellowing leaves around their base immediately with pruning shears so that these pests don’t have anything left worth feeding off! If there are too many aphids present then try using insecticidal soap spray (make sure this product is labeled safe for edible crops). It comes in liquid form so all you need do is dilute it with water according to package directions before applying directly onto affected areas like foliage or stems near ground level where most pests tend live during warmer months when weather conditions aren’t favorable outside yet still comfortable enough within cooler shade areas nearby where plants grow close together such as inside greenhouses where we keep many different kinds mixed together under protective coverings against harsh weather conditions outside such as sunlight exposure which could cause damage over time if exposed directly without adequate shade coverings provided by natural sources such as tall trees growing up nearby providing protection from direct sun rays coming through clouds overhead providing shade during hot days when temperatures rise quickly due solar radiation entering earth’s atmosphere from outer space;
Spray with 3 cups of water, 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and 1 tablespoon of dish soap.
- Make a spray solution of 3 cups water, 1 cup rubbing alcohol, and 1 tablespoon dish soap.
- Spray your plants with this solution when the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and it is not windy or bee/beneficial insect day (insects that control other insects for you).
- Do not spray if tomato plants are flowering at the time of application
Planting garlic or chives near tomato plants will help repel aphids.
One of the best natural pest control methods for tomato plants is to plant garlic or chives near your tomato plants. This will help repel aphids, which are tiny insects that are attracted to the sweet nectar of your tomatoes and can cause yellowing leaves and stunted growth in your plants. It’s also important to remember that if you’re growing tomatoes in a container, they should be planted in the same container so they have access to moisture at all times (which makes them more susceptible to pests).
Chives are similar to garlic in terms of their insecticidal properties, but they grow much faster than garlic does and can be harvested before any significant damage occurs on your plant. If you do choose this method of natural pest control for tomato plants keep in mind that chives will not work as well against larger insects like hornworms on tomato plants
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails are destructive pests that can quickly eat your tomato plants. They are nocturnal, so they will hide during the day and come out to feed at night. Slug and snail damage is easy to identify by the holes they leave in tomato plants. The best way to keep slugs and snails off of your plants is to use a copper barrier around the garden bed, or place copper cones nearby.
Cultivate the soil often to expose them to the elements and birds.
You can also reduce the risk of pests by keeping your soil healthy. The best way to do this is by cultivating the soil often. This will help expose your tomato plants to the elements, and birds that eat pests.
Another good way to keep pests away is by watering your tomato plants from below with a drip irrigation system or soaker hose. It is best not to water your plant from above as this will encourage too much moisture in the leaves which could cause damage and disease. You should also use mulch around your tomato plant’s roots where it meets with soil as this will help keep soil moist and cool during hot weather periods when tomatoes need more water than usual due to high temperatures outdoors during summer months (July through September). Do not put mulch too close though because if there isn’t enough air circulation around stem bases then they may rot out before harvest time arrives!
Place crushed eggshells around the tomato plants as a barrier to slugs and snails.
- Crush eggshells with a rolling pin, or hammer.
- Remove any larger pieces that are not small enough to be effective as a barrier to slugs and snails.
- Place the crushed eggshells around the base of each tomato plant in a circle approximately 1 foot in diameter (use more than one piece if needed).
Place orange peels around the tomato plant. Slugs do not like citrus, so they will avoid this area entirely.
If you have a slug problem, try placing orange peels around the base of your tomato plants. This is an easy and effective way to control slugs on your tomato plants. Slugs do not like citrus, so they will avoid this area entirely. However, if you have a heavy population of slugs that only eat at night or during the day when you are not able to check on them, it may be more effective to put down some traps such as beer or banana peel overnight before putting down orange peels in the morning so that all the slugs are trapped under these traps when you come back later in the day (or even overnight).
Orange peels are biodegradable and can be placed directly into compost after use without any harm done to other garden plants nearby or soil microorganisms present within your garden soil layers. You can also use lemon or lime peels as well if you prefer using them instead of oranges because they both work equally well against slug infestations!
Cut melon rinds into half-circles, place upside down around the tomato plant – slugs will hide under it during daylight and then you can collect them easily in the morning.
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Additional Info :
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Additional Info :
Additional Info :
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 10.125 Inches |
Width | 0.625 Inches |
Length | 8.125 Inches |
Weight | 1.6 Pounds |
Release Date | 2021-04-27T00:00:01Z |
- Insect killer: kills aphids, mealybugs, mites, white flies, and more
- Fast acting: kills listed insects in minutes and is effective against adult, larvae, and nymph stages of pests
- Easy to use: ready-to-use bottle makes application easy
- Use on: for indoor or outdoor use on roses, flowers, fruits, vegetables, and even houseplants
- For use on vegetables, flowers, fruits and houseplants
Additional Info :
Color | Ready-to-Use |
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 10.5 Inches |
Width | 4.8 Inches |
Length | 2.3 Inches |
Weight | 1.5 Pounds |
Release Date | 2011-05-23T00:00:01Z |
- CONTAINS BOTANICAL INSECTICIDES: Spray on roses, vegetables, houseplants, ornamentals, trees, shrubs and flowers right up to the day of harvest.
- KILLS ON CONTACT: Kills aphids, tomato hornworms, green fruitworms and other listed insects.
- PROTECTS YOUR WHOLE GARDEN: Use both indoors and outdoors.
- READY-TO-USE PEST CONTROL: Spray upper and lower leaf surfaces – no mixing required.
- APPLY AS NEEDED: Treat weekly or apply as needed to control infestations (up 10 to times per season).
Additional Info :
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 10.33 Inches |
Width | 2.25 Inches |
Length | 4.25 Inches |
Weight | 3 Pounds |